Series 5000: Students

5111.1 Foreign Exchange Students

The Board encourages international studies. Students are encouraged to participate in international  exchange programs and other activities that advance cultural awareness and promote mutual  understanding and respect for the citizens of other countries. To that end, it allows foreign  exchange students on one-year J-I visas, who are residing with families in the community to enroll  on a non-tuition basis in the local schools. Students who apply must not have the equivalent of a  high school diploma from a foreign school system. Students who are accepted and placed in grade  12 will only receive an honorary diploma. Further, they must meet those criteria established by  the administration in the areas of language competency, residency, and deportment. Only foreign  exchange students sponsored by organizations screened by the administration will be accepted.  The Board reserves the right to limit the number of exchange students in a given year. 

With Board approval, a District school may establish a sister-school relationship with a school in  another country. 

Students entering the United States on F-I visas, may enter the local school system, only upon  payment of the full, unsubsidized public education costs before entering the United States.  Further, students on F-I visas may remain in the United States for no more than twelve (12)  months. The local district, is prohibited by law, from waiving the tuition fee of students on F-I  visas. 

Exchange students must comply with immunization requirements set forth in state law. Once  admitted, exchange students become subject to all District policies and regulations governing  students. 

Exchange students will be encouraged to participate in all student activities and will be eligible to  participate in interscholastic athletics, provided academic requirements and Connecticut  Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) criteria are met. 

Legal Reference: Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996 Connecticut General Statutes 

10-27 International studies, exchange programs. Advisory committee. (amended by PA 04-153, An Act Encouraging International Students  Programs) 

Plyler vs. Doe, 457 U.S. 202 (1982) 

Policy adopted: February 12, 2018 THOMASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Thomaston, Connecticut

Foreign Exchange Students

In order for a foreign exchange student to be eligible for enrollment in the Thomaston Public Schools, the following criteria must be met: 

A. The student may not be a graduate of the school system in the country in which he/she is a  native. 

B. The student must be sufficiently fluent in English so that he/she would not require any  special services such as ESL. 

C. The application for admission must be reviewed by the appropriate school administrator  before July 1 of the school year for which the student wishes to enroll. 

D. The school must ascertain that the living situation that the student would be living in the  local community is appropriate. 

E. The school must have room for the student and be able to accommodate him/her without  incurring additional costs or burden. 

F. The student may not be enrolled more than one year. 

G. The student is not eligible to receive a diploma but can receive an honorary diploma.

H. The student may be eligible to play sports if he/she meets the CIAC criteria. 

I. If the student is not participating in and attending the school program or is disruptive to  the smooth and efficient operation of the school, the student may be dis-enrolled. 

J. This program is designed for foreign students who enter the country on one-year J-I visas  through established exchange programs such as Youth for Understanding, American Field  Service and Rotary. 

K. The student must present his/her application for admission to the Board of Education for  approval before the July regular meeting. 

Note: Students entering the United States on F-I visas may attend schools in the district only  upon full payment of tuition before entering the United States. This tuition fee may not be  waived due to federal legislation. 

Regulation approved: February 12, 2018 THOMASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Thomaston, Connecticut